Breaking Down the Stigma of Incontinence

Incontinence is a common condition that affects people of all ages. Living with incontinence can be challenging and often requires making some lifestyle adjustments.
But with a bit of help and the right interventions and support you can overcome the challenges of incontinence. The best place to start, to understand what’s going on, is by consulting your GP to obtain an accurate diagnosis. From there you can develop the most appropriate treatment and support plan for you which could be as easy as a few simple changes in your daily routine.
What is incontinence?
Incontinence is the inability to control urination or faecal release from the body. This simply means there are times when you are unable to control the passing of urine and/or bowel motions. It may be temporary or long term. Some people get leakage when they laugh, cough, or sneeze. Doctors call that stress incontinence. Others feel an unexpected sudden urge to urinate. That’s called urge incontinence.
Though it happens mostly to women, it can happen to anyone at any age and although people who have it may not talk about it, it’s more common than you think, impacting one in four New Zealanders.
What products are available?
There are several products available to manage incontinence and help individuals maintain their comfort and dignity. There is everything from pads, pull ups and reusable underwear to disposable swimwear for bowel incontinence.
Continence products can provide some relief for people affected by incontinence, enabling their daily life to be more comfortable. However, you should always seek medical advice from your GP or health professional.
Which product is right for me?
Here's a brief look into a sample of continence products available and their features and benefits. To view the full range of continence products click here.
Pads
Pull-ups
Washable & Reusable
Swimmates Disposable Swimwear
Swimmates® Disposable Adult & Youth Swimwear are designed to be worn under a bathing suit to provide containment for bowel incontinence. Ideal for aqua therapy or any day in the pool.
Providing dignity, confidence and discretion. Feel confident and secure, enjoy the water, and experience the advantages of buoyant exercise without the worry of embarrassment.
Designed to have minimal swelling and does not break apart. Blue moisture-proof barrier and Kufguards® (inner leg cuffs) help contain bowel incontinence, keeping the pool and bathing suit clean. Wide range of sizes to fit most youth, teen and adult swimmers. Latex-free.
To view the full range of continence products click here.
If you need continence support or advice, or aren't sure which products might be best for you or someone in your care, please contact us.
- Tags: Continence
- Independent Living